Dr. Brett Anderson and A.E. Philp purchased a farm on the shores of the Fraser River for use as a golf course. They used the design talents of A. V. Macan and greens keeper Bob Wood to clear the land and sculpt the course. Click on the boxes below to learn more
A.V. Macan revolutionized golf architecture in the Pacific Northwest designing courses in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California.
October 1, 1922—The design of the course as outlined by Mr. A.V. Macan takes advantage of the natural features of the club property, including the uplands and wooded areas to the east and west of the clubhouse. Holes 6, 13, 14, 15, 17 and 18 are included in this area. Special and unique features are proposed for the remaining fairways and greens in the form of water hazards and care- fully designed bunkering. Five of the tees are on the dyke, thus taking full advantage of the existing surface drainage plan, which, on this section, is open.
No doubt need be entertained as to the condition of the grounds during the rainy season. Particular care has been taken in the new drainage plans to ensure good, dry playing surfaces on all fairways.
1929 - A.V. Macan brilliantly utilized the uplands on hole #17 creating the infamous “Big Bertha” bunker, which even today continues to penalize approach shots that miss to the left.
In 1879 the McCleery brothers (Samuel and Fitzgerald) cleared the wilderness between the bluff and the north arm of the Fraser River for a dairy farm. The farm prospered for forty years and in 1919 the property was sold to William Murdoch McKenzie. A short time later Dr. Brett Anderson and A.E. Philp purchased the farm for use as a golf course. Anderson and Philp utilized the design talents of A. Vernon Macan and greens keeper Bob Wood to clear the land and sculpt the course. The original farm buildings became the clubhouse; storage buildings became locker rooms, and in 1922 Marine Drive Golf Club was born.
A cartoon from the 1932 Daily Province shows some of the early founders of Marine Drive Golf Club.
In 1929 the Ladies section at Marine Drive is established. The Ladies section continues to be a fixture of the club with both Tuesday and Weekend women groups. This paved the way for Barbara Renwick whose parents joined the club in the 40s. Barb Renwick went on to have a great amateur career including 2 BC Women’s championships.
This aerial photograph from 1948 shows the trees beginning to define the fairways of Marine Drive Golf Club and complete the transition from farmland to a parkland golf course.
By the middle of the 20th century great golfers such as Stan Leonard and Johnny Johnston established an atmosphere of competitive golf at the club, paving the way for many more champions to come.
Doug Roxburgh won his first of 13 BC Amateur titles in 1969 and went on to win 4 Canadian amateur titles.
Stan Leonard was the Head Professional at Marine Drive from 1940 to 1955 during which time he won five of his eight Canadian PGA titles before embarking on a successful stint on the USPGA Tour.
In 1948, Marine Drive Golf Club came close to foreclosure to the city. George Norgan, a past president of Marine Drive Golf Club, came to the rescue and advanced the $51,000 required to keep Marine Drive Golf Club alive.
In 1948 the Marine Drive Board made the decision to allow juniors to join the club without their parents being members. Laurie Roland and Babs Davies immediately transferred from the University GC to Marine Drive. This Board decision has been the most important one made by the Board to create the number of future champions at Marine. The decision provided immediate results. In 1949 Laurie Roland won the Canadian Junior Championship. Also in 1950, 1951 and 1952 Babs Davies won the BC Women’s Championship. These were the first of many national championships won by Marine Drive members.
Johnny Johnston became a member in 1952 and racked up an incredible record of amateur achievements which includes five America’s Cup, two Commonwealth, two world amateur and six Willingdon Cup appearances. He won the Canadian Amateur defeating Gary Cowan at Marine Drive in 1959.
The clubhouse circa 1950s
Doug Roxburgh won his first of 13 BC Amateur titles in 1969 and went on to win 4 Canadian amateur titles.
Richard (Dick) Zokol joined the club as a junior in 1970 and as he says “Marine Drive has shaped me” playing late in the summer nights with fellow members. He would later join the PGA tour in 1981 and won the Greater Milwaukee Open and the Deposit Guaranty Classic.
1989 - The Marine Drive Amateur is established and continues to be one of BC’s premiere amateur golf events.
In 2010 Marine Drive Golf Club hired Jim Urbina to complete a renovation of all bunkers and green surrounds.
The Camperdownii elm, cuttings from the original 19th century tree at Camperdown House in Dundee, Scotland, are located throughout the golf course and is represented in our club’s logo.
Marine Drive Legends: These men and women helped build the club through their dedication to making Marine Drive Golf Club the "Club of Champions". Their output to the club continues to inspire others to push the boundaries of what makes a world class golf club. Our legends are: Blake Cook, Jack Ellis, Phil Gofton, Johnny Johnston, Stan Leonard, George Norgan, Marilyn Palmer, Barbara Renwick, Doug Roxburgh and Richard Zokol.